What Your Dentist Can Do For Sleep Apnoea

Sleep apnoea affects as many as 6% of the adult population and 2% of children and is a sleep disorder that results in pauses between breathing, or possibly a series of short, shallow breaths, and typically, this follows loud snoring. The condition can cause a person to wake several times in a single night, and with ongoing interrupted sleep patterns, it can have a serious impact on a person’s life, and the risk of falling asleep while driving is always there. You might not think this is an area that the dentist can help, yet there are procedures that your dentist can perform that will help you get a better night’s sleep.

Initial Examination

The dentist would be looking at the shape of a person’s jaw, and if the patient shows the symptoms of sleep apnoea, there are special mandibular advancement devices that you wear when sleeping and this helps keep the vital airways free. If you think you might be suffering from sleep apnoea, and are looking for a dentist in the Gold Coast or in your local area, there are reputable clinics that specialise in treating this sleeping disorder.

Tongue Retaining Device

This piece of equipment can cure sleep apnoea, as it keeps the airway open during the sleeping process, and an experienced dentist would be able to craft a device that fits the patient perfectly, and in most cases, the problem is resolved. Your dentist can also suggest lifestyle changes that are known to reduce the risk of sleep apnoea, and although most people are unaware, your dentist is very well informed about this sleeping disorder and it is advisable to talk to your dentist next time you go for a check-up. If you would like to know more about dentistry and sleep apnoea, check some informative articles on the subject online.

Reduce the Damage

Some people who suffer from sleep apnoea grind their teeth, and your dentist would certainly notice this and can make some repairs. Wearing the right plastic device will reduce the damage caused, and if you manage to find a specialist dentist who has considerable experience in treating this disorder, you might not require any other treatment.

Known Symptoms

Many people are unaware they suffer from a sleep disorder, and here are a few of the known symptoms:

Frequent breathing breaks during the night

Choking or gasping during sleep

Loud snoring

Daytime sleepiness

If you have any of these symptoms, it might be an idea to visit your local dentist and inform them of this, and after an initial examination, your dentist will be able to give you their professional opinion, which might include some remedies.

As your dentist will be familiar with the airways, he or she would have studied sleep apnoea and also learned about possible treatments, and with advancements in devices, your dentist might be the ideal person to help you regain a normal pattern of sleep. Not all dental clinics will offer this treatment, and by conducting an online search, you should be able to locate a dental clinic in your area that specialises in sleep apnoea treatment.